February 2010

On March 8th our agent, Michael Welch RHU, REBC, will fly with a select group of Oregon insurance brokers to meet one on one with Oregon's seven most influential law makers.
The three day event is a part of "Capitol Conference", organized by the National Association of Health Underwriters. Its focus is to further a platform of reasonable, fiscally responsible and sustainable health care reform. Part of the event will include one on one meetings with Senators Merkley and Wyden and Representatives Defazio, Wu, Blumenauer, Schrader and Walden. Attached below is the agenda set forth by our national association. If you would like Mike to deliver a personal message specifically related to health care in Oregon please feel free to contact him directly.

Senate Bill 734, signed into law June 24th 2009 by the Governor, took effect January 1, 2010.
Tobacco users wanting to quit can count on help from their health insurance companies under the new bill. SB 734 requires insurers in Oregon to include reimbursement of at least $500 for members who enter a tobacco cessation program recommended by a physician that follows U.S. Public Health Service guidelines. Senate Bill Seeks Money to Helps Smokers Quit

Lessons from the Massachusetts Healthcare Experiment

Three years ago, Massachusetts passed the most sweeping healthcare bill in the country, adopting a plan that closely resembles the proposals being considered by Congress. It is a plan that now offers powerful lessons for the whole nation.